I have 2 problems with the front end of my 2000 F250 SD. First the R hub lock does not work. It won't hold a vacum. I took the fitting out and tested it there and it still leaked so it is either the hub lock itself or both seals in the spindle are leaking. Both hub locks are VERY hard to turn manually. If anyone has had this problem before maybe someone can tell me how much hub locks cost anf how difficult is it to pull the spindles off and re-seal them. The other problem I have is that when I went in to have the front end aligned for odd tire wear they told me that the ball joints are worn out on the L side. Well I don't want to change just one side after all they both have 85k on them so I am going to change both sides. How much work is this and do I need any special tools. I was a truck mechanic for many years so I have quite a few tools and a nice shop but I'm npt sure if it would be worth my time to do it myself. ANY suggestions would be appreciated.
thanx
P.S. Obviously this is a four wheel drive with I believe a Dana 60 in the front.

 

I think its a dana 50 front.....

 

yup, dana 50.

Ball joints are a pain to change.

 

It's quite common to have the vacuum leak. The big seals in the steering knuckle are probably shot and the inside of the knuckle will be rusted/corroded/pitted. To clean the inside of the knuckle where the seal rides you can use a ball type hone. It works quite well. To replace the seals you'll need a seal driver that probably only your dealer will have.
The driver is to put the seal onto the axle and then into the knuckle.
Ball joints arent bad to change if you have a ball joint press or drivers.

 

klr2mato,
I had the same problem last fall. I had my ball joints and seals replaced. The ball joints aren't that difficult to change out, but the seals require a dealer only tool that runs about $250-300. I was shown the steps required on a truck that was torn apart at the dealership. As far as the seals were concerned, I'm glad I let them do the job right.
The total was around seven bills for ball joints and seals for both sides and an alignment.
It sucks that some parts on our "super duty" trucks aren't that super.
Good luck!
Bob

 

Well this is a first for me. I have NEVER trusted anyone else to do my mechanical work with the exception of oil changes. And even those I watch like a hawk. I have rebuilt many vehicles a few from a bare frame to a finished four wheeler. This time is different. I took my truck to the Ford dealer today to replace those pesky ball joints and fix the vacum leak in the front spindles since they would have it all apart any way. Since I don't have the special tools to put the seals in it pretty much had to go there. 660 bucks later and tomorrow afternoon we'll see how well they do the job. I hate this. But at least this time I can sit on my front porch in the sun and drink a few cold ones instead of sweating in coveralls in my shop. Sometimes spending money is worth the time I guess. Well I'll let ya know how this turns out and thanks for the help guys.
KLR

 

I agree. I hate paying someone to do something that I think I can do myself . But the cold ones sure go down easy with clean hands!
Bob

 

Well here it is two days later. I have my truck back with new ball joints, all new seals in the front end including the gear oil seals that were leaking without me knowing and damaged doors on my Gem Top canopy and I'm $801.64 poorer. At least the truck works like it's supposed to. I had to argue with the service manager to get the price they quoted me the day before. $660 to do the ball joints and front end seals. They tried to charge me for all the vacum seals which they said were included in the ball joint job since they would have all that apart anyway. Thats another $175. Then they tried to charge me $200 labor to replace the gear oil seals when they had 90% of that job done already when they were replacing the ball joints. As it is the seals themselves were $75. Thats for two seals. YIKES! Then when the guy doing the work was trying to center the steering wheel he was getting frustrated and backed the truck out in a hurry and dropped it in drive to take off while still rolling backwards. The tool box in the back slide into the canopy doors blowing them open, springing the hinges and tearing up the latches. I took it back today so they could fix it. All they did was rivet the latch bak on. I had to take it home and fix it myself. Oh well so goes it. I know better now. Next time I'll do it my self. At least I won't have anyone to blame but me.
P.S. Bob you are absolutely right on about those cold ones. Yesterday it was 96 and today it's 100 degrees here. Too damn hot but it sure makes a really cold beer taste good!